20 Best Scholarships for High School Seniors in 2025

Why It Matters

College is expensive — no surprise there. But what most students don’t realize is that the biggest scholarships are usually due between September and February of senior year. Starting now means fewer missed opportunities, less stress, and more money in your pocket.

Let’s dive into the best scholarships for the Class of 2026 — all verified, valuable, and open this year.

1. The Gates Scholarship

• Amount: Full cost of attendance

• Eligibility: High-achieving, Pell-eligible minority students with a minimum 3.3 GPA

• Deadline: September 15, 2025

• Details: Covers tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation for the entire undergraduate program.

2. Coca-Cola Scholars Program

• Amount: $20,000

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA demonstrating leadership and community service

• Deadline: Applications open August 1, 2025, Deadline not posted yet

• Details: Awards 150 scholarships annually to students who exemplify leadership and service. 

3. QuestBridge National College Match

• Amount: Full four-year scholarship

• Eligibility: High-achieving, low-income students

• Deadline: September 30, 2025

• Details: Partners with top colleges to offer full scholarships covering tuition, room, and board. 

4. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: $10,000 per year (renewable up to 4 years)

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA demonstrating leadership, integrity, and citizenship

• Deadline: Applications yet to open, keep an eye on the website (Has been January 1st week in the previous years)

• Details: Honors students who exemplify the values of President Ronald Reagan. 

5. Dell Scholars Program

• Amount: $20,000, a laptop, and textbook credits

• Eligibility: Students with a minimum 2.4 GPA, financial need, and participation in a college readiness program

• Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Details: Supports students who demonstrate grit and potential. 

6. Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $50,000

• Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors

• Deadline: November 15, 2025

• Details: Awards based on leadership, academic achievement, and financial need. 

7. Burger King Scholars Program

• Amount: Up to $50,000

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA and community involvement

• Deadline: December 15, 2025

• Details: Recognizes students' academic and community achievements. 

8. Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship

• Amount: $40,000 plus a paid internship

• Eligibility: High school seniors planning to pursue a degree in computer science with a minimum 3.0 GPA

• Deadline: Applications open in Fall 2025, but the specific 2026 deadline has not been officially announced yet.

• Details: Supports students from underserved communities entering tech fields. 

9. Ron Brown Scholar Program

• Amount: $40,000 over four years

• Eligibility: African-American high school seniors demonstrating academic excellence and community service

• Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Details: Focuses on leadership and civic engagement. 

10. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $55,000 per year

• Eligibility: High-achieving seniors with financial need and a minimum 3.5 GPA

• Deadline: November 12, 2025

• Details: Provides comprehensive support including academic advising and internship opportunities.

11. Horatio Alger National Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $25,000

• Eligibility: High school seniors with financial need and a minimum 2.0 GPA

• Deadline: March 1, 2026

• Details: Supports students who have overcome adversity. 

12. Cameron Impact Scholarship

• Amount: Full tuition

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.7 GPA demonstrating leadership and community service

• Deadline: CLOSED FOR CLASS OF 2026 (capacity of 3,000 applicants reached)

• Details: Targets students with a strong desire to make an impact. 

13. Voice of Democracy Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $30,000

• Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12

• Deadline: October 31, 2025

• Details: An audio-essay contest promoting democratic ideals. 

14. National Merit Scholarship Program

• Amount: Varies

• Eligibility: High school seniors who excel in the PSAT/NMSQT

• Deadline: Varies

• Details: Recognizes top academic performers nationwide.

15. Jefferson Scholarship

• Amount: Full scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors nominated by their schools

• Deadline: Varies

• Details: Covers full cost of attendance at the University of Virginia. 

16. Morehead-Cain Scholarship

• Amount: Full scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors demonstrating leadership and character

• Deadline: October 1, 2025

• Details: Covers full cost of attendance at UNC-Chapel Hill. 

17. Distinguished Young Women Scholarship

• Amount: Varies

• Eligibility: High school senior girls

• Deadline: Varies by state

• Details: Focuses on scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression.

18. Transformative Legacy Scholarship Program

• Amount: Up to $12,500 annually plus a laptop

• Eligibility: Louisiana high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and financial need

• Deadline: March 31, 2025 (Already passed, look our for next year)

• Details: Established by NFL player Cam Jordan to support local students. 

19. Jean M. R. Smith Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $28,000 over four years

• Eligibility: Huron County, Michigan high school seniors demonstrating financial need

• Deadline: Check the Website

• Details: Supports students from rural communities. 

20. Inspire Scholarship by Karl-Anthony Towns

• Amount: $60,000

• Eligibility: High school seniors demonstrating academic excellence and financial need

• Deadline: Varies

• Details: Awarded through the Garden of Dreams Foundation to support college-bound students.

Tips for Winning Scholarships

• Start early – The best scholarships close by January

• Use one essay multiple times – Tweak, don’t rewrite

• Look local (cannot emphasize this enough) – Small awards = better odds

• Track everything – Use Google Sheets, Notion, or a spreadsheet

• Ask for letters now – Give your recommenders time

Final Word

If you’re a high school senior in the Class of 2026, your scholarship season starts right now. Bookmark deadlines, schedule time to apply, and don’t disqualify yourself before trying — even the biggest awards go to real students just like you.